Blue Mountains Full Day Trip from Sydney with Scenic World
Overview
This full-day coach trip takes you from central Sydney to the Blue Mountains, with hotel pickup from selected central hotels and a guide on board. You ride the Scenic World Cableway, Skyway and Railway, look out over the Three Sisters at Echo Point, stop in Leura Village and meet Australian animals at Featherdale Wildlife Park. The day ends with a ferry cruise to Circular Quay. It is a shared group tour lasting about 10 hours, and lunch is not included.
Highlights
- Hotel pickup from selected central Sydney hotels, with coach transport and a guide
- Three Scenic World rides: the Cableway, Skyway and Railway
- Echo Point lookout for views of the Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley
- Admission to Featherdale Wildlife Park, with kangaroos, koalas and wombats
- Free time in the village of Leura for lunch and shopping
- Ferry cruise on the Parramatta River to Circular Quay
- A full day of Blue Mountains highlights without driving yourself
Full Description
The Blue Mountains, a World Heritage landscape
The Blue Mountains lie about 100 kilometres west of Sydney and form part of the Greater Blue Mountains Area, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Deep sandstone valleys, sheer cliffs and huge eucalyptus forests give the region its name: a fine mist of eucalyptus oil scatters sunlight and gives the distant ridges a blue haze. It is the classic escape from the city and the most popular day trip from Sydney.
Most visitors ask how to get to the Blue Mountains from Sydney without a car, and a guided coach tour is the simplest answer. This trip handles the driving and links the best-known stops in one day, so you can enjoy the scenery rather than plan the logistics.
Scenic World: Cableway, Skyway and Railway
Scenic World at Katoomba is the centre of the trip. Your ticket includes three rides, and each shows the valley differently. The Scenic Railway, said to be among the steepest passenger railways in the world, drops you into the rainforest at a dramatic angle. The Skyway glides high above the gorge with views towards the waterfall, and the Cableway carries you across the valley.
Together they make it easy to see the forest floor and the cliff top in one visit. Note that prams and pushchairs are not permitted on the Scenic Railway, and some parts of the walkways are not wheelchair-accessible. People searching for Scenic World tickets will find this is a convenient package with the rides already included.
Echo Point and the Three Sisters
Echo Point is the lookout that everyone comes for. From here you see the Three Sisters, a trio of sandstone pillars that rise from the Jamison Valley and are linked to a Dreaming story from the local Aboriginal people. Beyond them, the valley stretches to a wall of cliffs and forest that seems to go on forever.
The lookout is easy to reach and busy at peak times, so it helps that your coach arrives with a plan. Many visitors want to know the best time to visit Echo Point: morning and late afternoon have softer light, and clear days give the most colour to the valley.
Featherdale Wildlife Park and Leura Village
Featherdale Wildlife Park in western Sydney gives you close contact with Australian animals. You can see koalas, wombats and many native birds, and hand-feed kangaroos in an easy, open setting. Admission is included in this trip, and it is a favourite stop for families.
Leura Village is the pretty town stop, with cafés, bakeries and small shops along its main street. Lunch is not included, so this is the time to buy your own or bring food. The day ends with a ferry cruise along the Parramatta River to Circular Quay, which also avoids the worst of the evening traffic; you make your own way from there to your accommodation.
Itinerary
- Hotel pickup in central SydneyThe coach collects guests from selected central hotels in the early morning; the pickup time is confirmed after booking.
- Featherdale Wildlife ParkMeet koalas, wombats and kangaroos and hand-feed the kangaroos, about one hour.
- Leura VillageFree time for lunch, coffee and shops in the village.
- Echo Point and the Three SistersWalk to the lookout for views of the Three Sisters and the Jamison Valley.
- Scenic World ridesRide the Cableway, Skyway and Railway included in your ticket.
- Ferry to Circular QuayCruise along the Parramatta River back to the city; the tour ends at Circular Quay.
What's included
- Pickup from selected central Sydney hotels
- Transport by coach
- Guide
- Admission to Featherdale Wildlife Park
- Leura Village stop
- 3 rides at Scenic World (Cableway, Skyway and Railway)
- Visit to Echo Point to see the Three Sisters
- Ferry cruise to Circular Quay
Not included
- Hotel drop-off (the tour ends at Circular Quay)
- Lunch (bring your own or buy in the Blue Mountains)
- Food and drinks
Not suitable for
- Wheelchair users
- Travellers with baby strollers or prams, which cannot go on the Scenic Railway
- Anyone carrying luggage or large bags, which are not allowed on the tour
- Travellers who need to be dropped at their hotel, as the tour ends at Circular Quay
Meeting point
Hotel pickup is included from selected central Sydney hotels, with 12 pickup locations, and the exact pickup time is confirmed after booking. The coach usually leaves early in the morning. The tour ends at Circular Quay, so there is no hotel drop-off; you make your own way from the wharf.
Important information
- Wear comfortable walking shoes and bring a warm layer, as the mountains are cooler than Sydney.
- Bring water, sunscreen and a hat.
- Lunch is not included; buy it in Leura Village or bring your own.
- Prams, strollers and luggage are not allowed on the tour.
- The tour ends at Circular Quay; hotel drop-off is not included.
- Pickup time is confirmed after booking; be ready at your hotel lobby on time.
- Ferry and ride operations depend on weather and can change.
Good to know
Frequently Asked Questions
Straight answers to what travellers ask us most, before they book.
How much does the Blue Mountains day trip cost?
The price depends on the date and the ages of your group. The booking panel on this page shows the current price for adults and children.
Is hotel pickup included?
Yes, pickup from selected central Sydney hotels is included, and the pickup time is confirmed after booking. The tour ends at Circular Quay, so hotel drop-off is not included.
Is lunch included?
No. You can buy lunch in Leura Village or bring your own.
How long is the tour?
The tour lasts about 10 hours from pickup to the end at Circular Quay.
What is included at Scenic World?
Three rides: the Cableway, the Skyway and the Railway.
Is the trip suitable for children?
Yes. Children aged 3 to 12 use the child ticket, and infants aged 2 and under are counted separately. Prams are not allowed on the Scenic Railway.
What should I wear?
Comfortable shoes, layers, a hat and sunscreen. It can be cooler in the mountains.
Can I book for today or tomorrow?
You can if the date shows as available in the booking panel.
How do I get to the Blue Mountains without a car?
This coach trip is one of the easiest ways, with pickup from central hotels and all the main stops included.
Do I see the Three Sisters?
Yes. The trip includes Echo Point, the main lookout for the Three Sisters.
